Pixel driving method, timing controller and liquid crystal display
A pixel driving method is used in a liquid crystal display. First, a temperature t of the liquid crystal display is detected. An initial level, and a target level are provided. A corresponding coefficient an is looked up in a lookup table based on the initial level and the target level. An overdrive level OD is estimated by substituting the coefficient an and a function of the temperature f(t) into the formula: OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n Thereafter, a pixel is driven by the overdrive level OD to reach the target level within a time frame. The lookup table comprises a plurality of columns and rows. The columns define the initial levels, and the rows define the target levels. Each of a plurality of coefficients an corresponds to an intersection formed by one column and one row.
Latest Patents:
The invention relates to a pixel driving method, and in particular, to a pixel driving method that compensates for temperature variation affecting a liquid crystal display.
Overdriving is a well known technique to enhance liquid crystal response time.
Liquid crystal response time is relative to environmental temperature.
An embodiment of the invention provides a pixel driving method for use in a liquid crystal display. First, a temperature t of the liquid crystal display is detected. An initial level, and a target level are provided. A corresponding coefficient an is looked up in a lookup table based on the initial level and the target level. An overdrive level OD is estimated by substituting the coefficient an and a function of the temperature f(t) into the formula:
Thereafter, a pixel is driven by the overdrive level OD to reach the target level within a frame time.
The lookup table comprises a plurality of columns and rows. The columns define initial levels, and the rows define target levels. Each of a plurality of coefficients an corresponds to an intersection formed by one column and one row.
The initial level and the target level ranges are identical to the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display.
The columns define the initial levels having values divisible by a predetermined number, and the rows define the target levels having values divisible by the predetermined number.
When the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain a first initial level coefficient an(i,j) and a second initial level an(i,j+1). When the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain a first target level an(p,q) and a second target level an(p,q+1); where i, j, p, q are the dummy indexs. The coefficients of first/second initial/target levels and the function of temperature f(t) are substituted into the formula
thereby four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 are obtained respectively. Bi-linear interpolation is then performed by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
When determining the overdrive level OD, the overdrive level OD is truncated into integers. If the truncated overdrive level OD exceeds the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display, the overdrive level OD is limited to the maximum display level such as 255. If the truncated overdrive level OD is less than the minimum display level of the liquid crystal display, the overdrive level OD is limited to the minimum display level such as 0.
In a writing period, the pixel is driven by a voltage corresponding to the overdrive level OD. In a sustaining period, the voltage for the pixel is sustained at the corresponding target level.
For simplicity, N is set to 1, hence the formula is simplified to:
OD=a1·f(t)+a0, where a1 denotes the slope and a0 denotes the offset.
A corresponding slope a1 and offset a0 are looked up in the lookup table based on the initial level and the target level. The overdrive level OD is estimated by substituting the slope a1, offset a0 and the function of the temperature f(t) into the simplified formula.
When the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain the coefficients of a first initial level (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)) and a second initial level (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1)). When the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain the coefficients of a first target (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)) and a second target (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1)). The first/second initial/target (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)), (a0(i,j+1), a(i,j+1)), (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)), (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1)) and the function of temperature f(t) are substituted into the formula
OD=a1·f(t)+a0
thereby four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 are obtained respectively. Bi-linear interpolation is then performed by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
Some embodiments of the invention also provide a timing controller and a liquid crystal display performing the pixel driving method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the invention solely to the embodiments described herein, will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
A detailed description of the invention is provided in the following.
An embodiment of the invention provides an approximation formula, such that the overdrive level OD can be estimated instead of looked up in the tables, thereby reducing the memory requirement of the lookup tables. The formula is:
The overdrive level OD, exceeding the target level, is then output to reduce the liquid crystal response time in the writing stage. In this case, N is set to 1, thus the equation (1) is simplified as:
OD=a1·f(t)+a0 (2)
Two tables are provided to define the values of the slope a1 and the offset a0, thereby the overdrive level OD can be calculated therein, and the requirement of memory capacity is reduced.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art) Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
Claims
1. A pixel driving method, for use in a liquid crystal display, comprising:
- detecting a temperature t of the liquid crystal display;
- providing an initial level, and a target level;
- looking up a corresponding coefficient an in a lookup table based on the initial level and the target level;
- estimating an overdrive level OD by substituting the coefficient an and a function of the temperature f(t) into a formula:
- OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n; and
- driving a pixel at the overdrive level OD to reach the target level within a frame time.
2. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function of temperature f(t) approximates environmental temperature variations.
3. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lookup table comprises:
- a plurality of columns, defining initial levels;
- a plurality of rows, defining target levels; and
- a plurality of coefficients an, each corresponding to an intersection formed by one column and one row.
4. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
- the initial level and the target level ranges identical to the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display;
- the columns define the initial levels having values divisible by a predetermined number; and
- the rows define the target levels having values divisible by the predetermined number.
5. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
- when the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain the coefficients of a first initial level an(i,j) and a second initial level an(i,j+1);
- when the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain the coefficients of a first target level an(p,q) and a second target level an(p,q+1);
- substituting for the first/second initial/target levels and the function of temperature f(t) into the formula
- OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n
- thereby obtaining four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 respectively; and
- performing bi-linear interpolation by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
6. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of determining the overdrive level OD comprises:
- truncating the overdrive level OD into integers;
- if the truncated overdrive level OD exceeds the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display, limiting the overdrive level OD to the maximum display level; and
- if the truncated overdrive level OD is less than the minimum display level of the liquid crystal display, limiting the overdrive level OD to the minimum display level.
7. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
- in a writing period, driving the pixel by a voltage corresponding to the overdrive level OD; and
- in a sustaining period, sustaining the voltage for the pixel at the corresponding target level.
8. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
- setting N=1, hence the formula is simplified - OD=a1·f(t)+a0, where a1 denotes the slope and a0 denotes the offset;
- looking up a corresponding slope a1 and offset a0 in the lookup table based on the initial level and the target level; and
- estimating the overdrive level OD by substituting the slope a1, offset a0 and the function of the temperature f(t) into the formula.
9. The pixel driving method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
- when the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain the coefficients of a first initial (a0(i,j), a1(i j)) and a second initial (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1));
- when the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain a first target (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)) and a second target (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1));
- substituting for the first/second initial/target (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)), (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1)), (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)), (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1)) and the function of temperature f(t) into the formula
- OD=a1·f(t)+a0
- thereby obtaining four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 respectively; and
- performing bi-linear interpolation by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
10. A timing controller, driving at least one pixel in a liquid crystal display, comprising at least one lookup table, wherein:
- the timing controller detects a temperature t of the liquid crystal display;
- the timing controller determines an initial level, and a target level;
- the timing controller looks up a corresponding coefficient an in the lookup table based on the initial level and the target level;
- the timing controller estimates an overdrive level OD by substituting the coefficient an and a function of the temperature f(t) into the formula:
- OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n; and
- the timing controller drives a pixel by the overdrive level OD to reach the target level within a frame time.
11. The timing controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein the function of temperature f(t) approximates environmental temperature variations.
12. The timing controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lookup table comprises:
- a plurality of columns and rows, defining initial levels and target levels; and
- a plurality of coefficients an, each corresponding to an intersection formed by one column and one row.
13. The timing controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein:
- the initial level and the target level ranges are identical to the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display;
- the columns define the initial levels having values divisible by a predetermined number; and
- the rows define the target levels having values divisible by the predetermined number.
14. The timing controller as claimed in claim 13, further performing the following operations:
- when the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain a first initial level an(i,j) and a second initial level an(i,j+1);
- when the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain a first target level an(p,q) and a second target level an(p,q+1);
- substituting for the first/second initial/target levels and the function of temperature f(t) into the formula
- OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n
- thereby obtaining four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 respectively; and
- performing bi-linear interpolation by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
15. The timing controller as claimed in claim 10, further truncates the overdrive level OD into integers, wherein:
- if the truncated overdrive level OD exceeds the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display, limiting the overdrive level OD to the maximum display level;
- and if the truncated overdrive level OD is less than the minimum display level of the liquid crystal display, limiting the overdrive level OD to the minimum display level.
16. The timing controller as claimed in claim 10, the timing controller further sets N=1, hence the formula is simplified to:
- OD=a1·f(t)+a0, where a1 denotes the slope and a0 denotes the offset;
- the timing controller looks up a corresponding slope a1 and offset a0 in the lookup table based on the initial level and the target level; and
- the timing controller estimates the overdrive level OD by substituting the slope a1, offset a0 and the function of the temperature f(t) into the formula.
17. The timing controller as claimed in claim 16, further performs the following steps:
- when the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain a first initial (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)) and a second initial (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1));
- when the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain a first target (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)) and a second target (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1));
- substituting the first/second initial/target (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)), (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1)), (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)), (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1)) and the function of temperature f(t) into the formula
- OD=a1·f(t)+a0
- thereby obtaining four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 respectively; and
- performing bi-linear interpolation by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
18. A liquid crystal display, comprising:
- a panel module, comprising at least one pixel;
- a timing controller, driving the pixel;
- a temperature sensor, coupled to the timing controller, sensing a temperature t of the panel module;
- a memory device, coupled to the timing controller, storing an initial level;
- a lookup table comprising: a plurality of columns and rows, defining initial levels and target levels; and a plurality of coefficients an, each corresponding to an intersection formed by one column and one row;
- wherein:
- the timing controller receives a target level;
- the timing controller looks up a corresponding coefficient an in the lookup table based on the initial level and the target level;
- the timing controller estimates an overdrive level OD by substituting the coefficient an and a function of the temperature f(t) into the formula:
- OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n; and
- the timing controller drives the pixel by the overdrive level OD to reach the target level within a frame time.
19. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 18, wherein the function of temperature f(t) approximates environmental temperature variations.
20. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a read only memory coupled to the timing controller for storing the lookup table.
21. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 20, wherein:
- the initial level and the target level ranges identical to the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display;
- the columns define the initial levels having values divisible by a predetermined number; and
- the rows define the target levels having values divisible by the predetermined number.
22. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 21, wherein the timing controller performs the following operations:
- when the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain a first initial level an(i,j) and a second initial level an(i,j+1);
- when the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain a first target level an(p,q) and a second target level an(p,q+1);
- substituting the first/second initial/target levels and the function of temperature f(t) into the formula
- OD = ∑ n = 0 N a n f ( t ) n
- thereby obtaining four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 respectively; and
- performing bi-linear interpolation by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
23. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 18, wherein:
- the timing controller truncates the overdrive level OD into integers;
- if the truncated overdrive level OD exceeds the maximum display level of the liquid crystal display, the timing controller limits the overdrive level OD to the maximum display level; and
- if the truncated overdrive level OD is less than the minimum display level of the liquid crystal display, the timing controller limits the overdrive level OD to the minimum display level.
24. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 18, wherein the memory device stores the target level for use as the next frame initial level.
25. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 18, wherein the timing controller further sets N=1, hence the formula is simplified to:
- OD=a1·f(t)+a0, where a1 denotes the slope and a0 denotes the offset;
- the timing controller looks up a corresponding slope a1 and offset a0 in the lookup table based on the initial level and the target level; and
- the timing controller estimates the overdrive level OD by substituting the slope a1, offset a0 and the function of the temperature f(t) into the formula.
26. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 25, wherein:
- when the initial level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper column and lower column are looked up to obtain a first initial (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)) and a second initial (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1));
- when the target level is not the predetermined number, the adjacent upper row and lower row are looked up to obtain a first target (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)) and a second target (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1));
- substituting the first/second initial/target (a0(i,j), a1(i,j)), (a0(i,j+1), a1(i,j+1)), (a0(p,q), a1(p,q)), (a0(p,q+1), a1(p,q+1)) and the function of temperature f(t) into the formula
- OD=a1·f(t)+a0
- thereby obtaining four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 respectively; and
- performing bi-linear interpolation by the four overdrive levels OD1, OD2, OD3 and OD4 to determine the overdrive level OD.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Siow-Fang Chen (Dali City), Kuei-Hsueh Chen (Mingjian Township), Yao-Jen Hsieh (Baoshan Township)
Application Number: 11/235,798
International Classification: H05B 1/02 (20060101);